Process for dialyzation of blood

Abstract

Dialysis fluid is produced and transported to a blood dialysis chamber automatically and continuously. A dialysis fluid concentrate and water are mixed and controllably pumped to a buffer storage container from which the mixture is drawn off through the dialysis chamber by a second controllable pump. The second pump is controlled as a function of the quantity of mixture in the buffer container.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a method for the removal of impurities from a liquid by dialysis, an improved process for controlling the dialysis fluid comprising: mixing a dialysis fluid concentrate with water to form a dialysis fluid having a preselected concentration;   delivering a predetermined quantity of the mixed dialysis fluid to a storage container per unit of time;   withdrawing the dialysis fluid from the storage container and transporting the fluid through a dialysis chamber wherein impurities are transferred to the fluid from the liquid to be purified through a semi-permeable membrane;   constantly measuring the quantity of the dialysis fluid in the storage container; and   controlling the rate of withdrawal of the dialysis fluid from the storage container in response to the quantity of fluid in the container to maintain a constant quantity in the container.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of mixing comprises: measuring the concentration of the dialysis fluid prior to delivery to the storage container; and   varying the quantity of concentrate mixed with the water pursuant to the concentration measurement to achieve the preselected concentration.   
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of measuring concentration comprises: measuring the conductance of the dialysis fluid.   
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: pressuring the stored dialysis fluid.   
     
     
       5. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of: pressurizing the stored dialysis fluid.   
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: heating the water prior to mixing with the dialysis fluid concentrate.   
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of: measuring the concentration of the fluid prior to delivery to the storage container; and   varying the quantity of concentrate mixed with the water pursuant to the concentration measurement to achieve the preselected concentration.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of measuring concentration comprises: measuring the conductance of the dialysis fluid.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of: further measuring the concentration of the dialysis fluid withdrawn from storage.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of: pressurizing the container in which the dialysis fluid is stored.